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Quantum Tests of the Einstein Equivalence Principle on Ground and in Space
Invited Speaker: Ernst Rasel rasel@iqo.uni-hannover.de
The Einstein equivalence principle is a corner stone of general relativity and therefore challenged
with growing precision by experimental tests on ground [1,2] and in space [3]. In the recent past
several atom-interferometric experiments were started with the aim to perform precise tests of the
universality of free fall with quantum matter displaying unique features such as a long coherence
length or pure sin polarisation [9-10]. They aim to reduce the present sensitivity gap between
current ground based tests and a future space mission STE-QUEST [11,12], which will allow to
improve on the ultimate systematic uncertainties of ground based experiments. A more elaborate
version of STE-QUEST is proposed for The ESA M4-mission. It will host a dual species
interferometer for testing the universality of free fall as well as enable intercontinental comparisons
of state-of-the-art ground clocks for a test of the sun and moon gravitational redshift.
Acknowledgement: The M4 proposal of STE-QUEST was established by a consortium of European
scientists under the lead of Peter Wolf.
Core scientists:
Kai Bongs, Philippe Bouyer, Claus Braxmaier, Davide Calonico, A. Michael Cruise, Naceur
Gaaloul, Luciano Iess, Philippe Jetzer, Wolf D.C. von Klitzing, Steve Lecomte, Ernst Rasel, Markus
Rothacher, Stephan Schiller, Carlos F. Sopuerta, Guglielmo M. Tino, Philip Tuckey, Martin Zelan
Additional contributions:
Holger Ahlers, Peter Berg, Michael Chwalla, Robert Ecoffet, Thorsten Feldmann, Domenico
Gerardi, Christine Guerlin, Jonas Hartwig, Thierry Martin, Didier Massonnet, Katerine PossoTrujillo, Christian Schubert, Thilo Schuldt, Drazen Svehla
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"Enrico Fermi") N. Gaaloul, J. Hartwig, C. Schubert, W. Ertmer, and E. M. Rasel